Men's Journal

The FitnessBuilder App, from the developers of PumpOne, delivers more than 400 pre-programmed workouts. Photo credit: Courtesy Apple

There are 1,500-plus fitness applications for the Apple iPhone. Here are the four you should know about.

By Pieter Van Noordennen

THI Personal Trainer ($.99)
Promises: Professional workouts from Scouting Solutions, a training outfit that works with the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes
Delivers: Exercises laid out according to muscle group and YouTube-quality videos that are clear and helpful
Best feature: Pre-programmed workouts from beginner to expert. Plus, custom programs.
Gripe: Building your own workout is laborious compared to similar programs.
Download if: You want the best app for overall fitness.

SixPack App ($.99)
Promises: More than 100 exercises, with pictures showing proper technique, text instructions, and medical illustrations of the muscle groups worked
Delivers: Incredibly detailed explanations of not just how to do the exercises, but why you’re doing them
Best feature: Helpful tips tell you exactly what you shouldn’t be doing.
Gripe: No tracking feature, meaning you’ll need another app if you want to chart your progress.
Download if: You’re a stickler for technique.

FitnessBuilder ($19.99)
Promises: The be-all and end-all program from trainers-developers PumpOne, creators of the popular iPump series
Delivers: More than 400 pre-programmed workouts and more than 4,000 pictures and videos pulled from iPump’s weightlifting, yoga, and cardio programs
Best feature: Drag-and-drop functionality enables you to easily build your own workouts.
Gripe: Pricey
Download if: You simply must have 15 different kettlebell routines.

TrailGuru (free)
Promises: A GPS device that tracks running, hiking, and biking routes and spits back distance traveled, speed, elevation change, and time elapsed
Delivers: Accurate Google Earth topo maps that trace your route, on the trail and off
Best feature: Online interactivity lets you upload workouts to Trailguru.com and compare notes with other users.
Gripe: Location and speed readouts can be imprecise.
Download if: You’re a serious runner.

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This article originally appeared in the July/August 2009 issue of Men’s Journal.

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